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Online Programs Overview
LIM College’s online programs offer courses taught in Blackboard Learning Management System. The academic year is divided into three semesters and there are two eight-week modules within each semester. On the Friday before the beginning of each module, students will have access to the course shells within Blackboard. Although students will not be able to complete any course activities at that time, they will be able to view the course syllabus and objectives, announcements, and faculty information.
New Student Orientation
All new students must complete the New Student Orientation (NSO) course by the end of the first week of their first module. NSO helps students understand the nature of online education, learn about College resources available to online students, and become familiar with the College’s policies and procedures with regards to Blackboard and SafeAssign. (SafeAssign is a plagiarism detection program used in every online course.) NSO will be facilitated by the Online Advisor. If a student does not successfully complete the NSO course in the allotted timeframe, that student will not be permitted to register for the second and subsequent modules of their program.
Attendance
During the first week of online classes students are expected to participate in a discussion forum (no later than Sunday, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time) to confirm their enrollment in the course. This mandatory check-in is required for each class in which the student is enrolled. Students who are not active by Sunday, 11:59 p.m. will be de-registered from the course.
Students are expected to attend all classes by participating in academic activities at the required level and frequency outlined in the course syllabus. An absence is defined as failure to sign in and complete an assignment for the week. After the first absence, a student’s final grade will be reduced by a full letter grade.
Students risk withdrawal from courses or dismissal from the College for not following the attendance policy. Students who are deregistered from a course cannot appeal this decision.
A student who withdraws from a course after the second week of a module will be assigned the grade of “F” for that course. After the end of the third week of each module, students who have had two or more weeks of consecutive non-attendance in a course will be considered inactive and will be assigned the grade of “FA” by the Office of the Registrar, signifying failure for lack of attendance. When calculating GPA, the grade of “FA” is treated in the same manner as an earned “F.” An “FA” may also have an effect on financial aid eligibility. Once an “FA” grade is assigned, a student may no longer remain active in the course.
Online Advisor
The Online Advisor serves as the liaison for online program-related issues between students, faculty, and the College’s administration. The Online Advisor is the individual with whom online students should discuss all issues related to their program.
Students are required to communicate with their Online Advisor every week during the first four weeks of a module. After the first module is completed, and if the faculty member and Online Advisor agree that the student is making satisfactory progress, communication between the student and the Online Advisor will only be required to take place every other week.
Grading
Unless otherwise instructed, assignments will be due on Sundays on or before 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Faculty will return students’ graded work within 48 hours.
Communication
Students are expected to use their LIM College email address and check that account at least three times each week. Students are also required to maintain telephone contact with their Online Advisor as specified in consultation meetings.
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